Thursday, February 04, 2010

STADSKANTOOR, NETHERLANDS, ROTTERDAM, 2009


Statement by Rem Koolhaas:-
"What does Rotterdam really need?
After an impressive sequence of abrupt architectural transitions – from the stark modernity of the reconstruction, via the “new humanism” of the cubes, the repressed postmodern of the 90s to the current apotheosis of Dutch modernity – launched by the fireworks of the 1940 bombardment, all these ideologies coexist and interact in harsh juxtaposition, each successive layer oblivious and in contradiction to the previous ones.

What is now needed may be subtlety and ambiguity in the midst of an overdose of form. We propose a “formless” heap, consisting of smaller elements that are shaped to perform a number of major and minor responsibilities.

Where necessary the shape can be formal and impressive, almost symmetrical – for instance, from the Coolsingel, glimpsed between the two survivors – and where desired, it can be delicate and accommodating – for instance in its relationship with the existing monument, Stadstimmerhuis.

Our structural system – a three dimensional Vierendeel structure in steel – enables us to improvise and to liberate the ground almost in its entirety, to interpret the "Stadswinkel" as an unencumbered public space, in which we arrange the interaction between citizen and city in a dignified, spacious urban landscape, with an almost “Roman” scale and materiality."

Passage & Image from http://www.oma.eu/index.php?option=com_projects&view=
\project&id=1205&Itemid=10

1 comment:

Unknown said...

interesting. I hope it doesn't stay with a nice concept but that it also will become architecture really dedicated to its users. More about architecture dedicated to its users check this blog experiencing architecture